Cruise Control?
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from what i understand there is no cruise control on offer. Thats probably for flippingthrough dash menus. and i think that thumb thing on the bottom is for the DCT?
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Thanks for the buzz kill. You are probably right. There is a button that says "Set" though.
Cruise Control
I don't prefer a lot of electronic gadgetry on motorcycles but I have become completely spoiled by cruise control. I noticed the "Set' button in the Honda Press release photo's also and hoped Honda included cruise control. The rocker switch above it looks like it could serve as an "accel/decel" button but that could be completely wrong since there is normally a "cancel" switch on cruise controls. I can't imagine Honda not mentioning it if the bike has it. CC would broaden the CRF's appeal as a light-tourer with this addition, and without any negative impact on the bikes' off-road capabilities. I can't imagine CC significantly adding to the cost of any motorcycle and I believe most people would gladly pay the difference to have it once they tried it. All road-going, electronically fuel injected motorcycles should have cruise control. It may not be a deal-breaker if this bike does not have cruise control but it would be an oversight on Honda's part to not provide it.
I don't prefer a lot of electronic gadgetry on motorcycles but I have become completely spoiled by cruise control. I noticed the "Set' button in the Honda Press release photo's also and hoped Honda included cruise control. The rocker switch above it looks like it could serve as an "accel/decel" button but that could be completely wrong since there is normally a "cancel" switch on cruise controls. I can't imagine Honda not mentioning it if the bike has it. CC would broaden the CRF's appeal as a light-tourer with this addition, and without any negative impact on the bikes' off-road capabilities. I can't imagine CC significantly adding to the cost of any motorcycle and I believe most people would gladly pay the difference to have it once they tried it. All road-going, electronically fuel injected motorcycles should have cruise control. It may not be a deal-breaker if this bike does not have cruise control but it would be an oversight on Honda's part to not provide it.
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196 Posts
Totally agree with Davo's take on the utility of CC, but the cost and fitment issues might not be so simple. Bikes with "ride-by-wire" throttles can be fitted with CC through software changes to the CPU and adding a CC control switch at a low cost. Bikes still using a cable attached at one end to the hand grip (throttle) and the other end to the throttle bodies or carburetors, require a more complex cruise control system with more parts and higher cost. So if the CRF-AT doesn't use a ride-by-wire throttle, there might be space constraints making CC impractical and even if there is room, it would be costly.
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284 Posts
A cruise control would be great for going in a straight line for a long period of time.
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35 Posts
I agree once you have had cruise control its really hard to go back to not having one. I suppose one would be able to add a mechanical throttle lock but it just isn't the same. I hate slabbing it but sometimes it's just necessary. I really hope that it will become available.
Even bikes still using throttle cables are run through the ECU.
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As I understand it, some do run cables to an intermediate device (potentiometer?) that talks to the ECU. Tthe ECU controls a stepper motor that opens and closes the throttle bodies according to it's programming. No problem with those and CC. The troublesome ones are old school -- cables on hand throttle go directly to throttle bodies - where a throttle position sensor (TPI) talks to the ECU but the ECU has no way to control the actual throttle bodies. Those need a lot of extra hardware to add cruise control.
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284 Posts
As you said, "the troublesome ones are old school" so it should be feasible to run a cable ourselves for cruise control. I think...
Let's hope the Africa Twin does come with cruise control.
Let's hope the Africa Twin does come with cruise control.
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I don't know about you guys but I don't need CC. when my hand starts to hurt I just pull over at the next bar and ice it down with a cold beer.
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I asked the dealer and he said that CRF-AT doesn't have CC 
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284 Posts
That's a bit of a let down but I still want an Africa Twin. Guess I'll see how I do without it.
I had a friend who installed a Rostra cruise control on his 2006 ST1300. He found a left switch assembly for a Goldwing online with all the connections he needed for the Rostra cruise control unit. Rostra has been building automotive cruise control units for many years, so they are proven and reliable. The only thing is, they are built for cars. He mounted the Rostra into the left side of his fairing and ran the cable in front of the forks and under the right side of the tank. He fabricated a small bracket for the cable and another bracket to secure the end of the cable to the accelerator rod that adjusts the opening on all four carb's. He said the most difficult part was adjusting the cable for sensitivity. It took four tries (pulling the bike apart) to make each adjustment at the carburator shaft. He had to figure out the electronic connections between the Goldwing Switch assembly and the Rostra control unit, and run a bit of wire to get the length he needed to the right handlebar. Once he had it dialed in, it would allow the cruise to set the bike at speeds as low as just under 20 mph!! All settings (Set, Reset, Decel, Accel, disengage when brakes applied, etc) worked as though it was a factory installation. The use of the Goldwing switch assembly made the installation so "factory looking" that most people didn't even notice the switch assembly until it was brought to their attention. The other benefit to the use of the Goldwing Switch assembly is that it is sealed and virtually waterproof, unlike other aftermarket cruise switches at that time. He posted the whole story on an ST-Owners forum and it may still be accessible if anyone wants to find it.
Davo
Davo
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35 Posts
Maybe you aren't comprehending the vastness of USA and all of the endless highway riding to get to somewhere adventurous to ride offroad. Cruise control would be great to have.
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Sure, on the Goldwing. :wink2:
I guess it isn't an accessory per se.
I guess it isn't an accessory per se.
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